College Student PowerPoint Presentation Tips
Slideshows for Public Speaking and Business Class Final Projects
Oct 11, 2008
Many college students taking business communication and public speaking classes must create PowerPoint presentations for their final projects. Whether the topic is informative or persuasive, certain rules apply to all presentations.
Follow the Instructor’s Guidelines for PowerPoint Presentations
The first step to ensuring a good grade on a PowerPoint presentation for class is to clearly understand the instructions provided by the instructor. If the syllabus or assignment instructions call for 8-10 slides that include at least one chart and a table of contents slide, then make sure to hit all of those requirements. Not doing so will certainly result in a less than stellar grade.
Universal PowerPoint Presentation Tips for College Students
Beyond general assignment guidelines, here are some tips to keep in mind when putting together a PowerPoint presentation for class.
- Number of slides. A shorter, 10-minute presentation may consist of 8-10 slides while a longer, 30- to 60-minute program might include 35 slides or so. A good presentation includes just enough slides to get across main points without bombarding the audience with information.
- A proper introduction. Start off the presentation by introducing the topic as well as yourself and any other speakers. Optional: Include a second slide with a table of contents. These introductory slides should provide sufficient background on the topic and preview major points.
- Clear closing. Make sure to review major points on one slide and include a final slide that opens the door for comments. This is not a requirement, but certainly a best practice.
- Don’t use full sentences. Try to keep all points under five words or less (short phrases). If the topic can be presented by simply reading the slides verbatim, the slides contain way too much text. Cut down on text and move extra info down into speaker notes. The bullet points should be prompts more than anything else.
- Have a focused message. Slides should flow logically from one to the next. A presentation with multiple purposes can become confusing for the audience, not to mention difficult to write. Keep the presentation focused on a central idea and drive home the point with concrete opening and closing slides as well as logical arguments throughout.
- Consider the audience. A presentation should be appropriate for the intended audience. If audience members are likely to be unfamiliar with the topic, make sure to focus on background; educate them on the topic before making any arguments. If the expected audience is more knowledgeable on the topic, spend less time covering background information and focus on facts. Well-informed audiences may appreciate multiple references to external information such a statistical findings or even a unique viewpoint.
Best Tips for Getting a Good Grade on a PowerPoint Presentation
If all of the tips above had to boiled down into four points, they would be:
- Cover all elements of the assignment as stated in the instructions provided by the instructor in the course syllabus.
- Focus the slideshow on a central theme and direct it towards the appropriate audience.
- Support all major points with specific details and examples when possible.
- Include a clear closing and perhaps open the floor for discussion in the final slide.
College students interested in getting a good grade on a PowerPoint presentation should keep in mind the above tips while drafting a nicely formatted PowerPoint presentation that adheres to all assignment guidelines as stated in the course syllabus.
Students who need help with PowerPoint can find PowerPoint templates and tutorials on the Microsoft Office website. College students in business classes may also benefit from PowerPoint presentation design tips meant for business professionals.
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